Untitled Sermon (2)

The Holy Bible: King James Version Chapter 3

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. 16 Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

I often contemplate this portion of text for the New Year! When I first become a student of the Bible I was always drawn to this text. I used it as a confirmation of my calling to the Gospel ministry. I always thought the high calling was the call to ministry. But there is so much much in the high calling than simply the call to ministry. Especially when you look at the whole section.

When you look at the King James version of this text Paul talks about not having attained or being made perfect and you may wonder what that means. When you look at the word perfect it really is speaking about maturity. So you might ask so what is this level that Paul is really trying to reach. In order to truly understand what Paul is saying you have to look back to the section before this portion to put into context what Paul is saying. It is really best to read the whole chapter and really the whole book to understand what the writer is saying in the Epistles.

In verse 11

In verse 11 Paul says that I may know him, in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings. Being made perfect is the process of maturity that comes with knowing who Jesus is. In order to experience the power of his resurrection you need the fellowship of his sufferings.

I remember as a young convert or revert to Christianity I had not experienced any suffering and surely did not understand resurrection because nothing had ever died. I thought I could preach about what I read without even knowing what the stuff meant. But through life I had to experience some things that would mold me into a better presenter of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s why Paul says lay hands on no man suddenly and we must be careful with new converts or novices when it comes to ministry because that person has not experienced the things of Christ.

Going back to when he said that I may know him. We must understand there are different levels of knowing. So people know of me, but only those who have been intimate with me know me. If you read about me in a book you will know on one level, but if you live with me you will know me on a different level. Many of us in the church know Christ on a surface level but have not experienced him like Paul. Paul said that he may know him in the fellowship of his sufferings.

To know someone in the fellowship of their sufferings could come from being on a team with them, or on assignment with them and go through the trials and tribulations of reaching a goal or even failing with them. Knowledge of them will come from experience with them. To know someone in the fellowship of their sufferings can come through being present with someone through their trials and tribulations and seeing them though the process. We really do not know somebody until we have been with that person intimately and in this case don’t equate intimacy with sex.

Getting back to the text. In verse 13 he states that he knows that he has not made it yet, but he is leaving those things behind him and striving to what lies ahead. What is he leaving behind him.